When you’re planning a kids’ party or tackling Halloween treats, you need things that are simple, fast, and guaranteed to get a reaction. Forget complicated cookies or fussy cakes for a minute! I’m sharing my absolute favorite crowd-pleaser: the ultimate novelty dessert, the **Worms & Dirt Cups**. Seriously, these are the easiest treats you’ll ever make.
The first time I served these, I remember placing the gummy worms out on top and everyone—kids and adults alike—just burst out laughing before they even got a spoon in! That moment alone makes this dessert worth repeating every single year. After testing countless recipes for school events and neighborhood gatherings, I can confirm these cups deliver maximum fun with almost zero effort.
If you want to see smiles instantly, grab a package of Oreos and follow along. You can check out my other fun concept, the Pumpkin Patch Dirt Cups, for another seasonal nod!
Why These Worms & Dirt Cups Are the Best Easy Treats
Honestly, what’s better than a dessert that looks messy but tastes totally rich and creamy? If you need quick ideas for a huge crowd, these are your go-to. You don’t even need to turn on the oven!
Here is why I keep making these no-bake treats:
- They come together in about 15 minutes flat—seriously!
- You only need four core ingredients, which keeps grocery runs simple.
- They are perfectly portioned for little hands at parties.
- The kids absolutely love digging through the layers.
If you’re looking for more simple desserts that skip the oven entirely, check out my list of no-bake treats!
Gathering Ingredients for Your Worms & Dirt Cups
We’re keeping ingredient gathering super simple, which is why these are such great easy dessert ideas. You need just a few things, and most of them are probably hanging out in your pantry already. When you buy your cookies, make sure you grab the full package because we use the whole thing, filling and all!
If you want to learn how to make the perfect cookie crumble for all your baking needs, check out my tips on making the perfect cookie crumble topping!
Ingredients for the Dirt and Pudding Base
This mix creates that dark, delicious ‘dirt’ base that holds the pudding perfectly together. Don’t worry about making the pudding from scratch here; the box mix is our secret weapon for speed!
- One box of chocolate pudding mix.
- About 500ml of milk (use whatever kind you keep on hand).
- 250g of Oreos, crushed into fine crumbs. And yes, that means the white filling is going in too—it just makes for richer dirt!
Components for Assembly of Worms & Dirt Cups
These last two items are what make the dish exciting and fun for kids’ parties. Don’t skimp on the whipped cream; it adds necessary lightness before the topping goes on.
- 250ml of sweetened whipped cream.
- One package of gummy worms. This is crucial: when you serve these, you want those squiggly guys sticking high up out of the cup so everyone sees the gross-but-good effect!
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Worms & Dirt Cups
Okay, you’ve got your ingredients ready? This is where the magic happens, and trust me, it’s so fast you might wonder what the fuss is about! We move quickly here, but the most important part is getting that pudding nice and cold before we fold everything together. Remember, these are mini desserts in a cup, so presentation counts!
If you love these little grab-and-go treats, you should bookmark my guide on miniature desserts in a cup for more inspiration!
Preparing the Pudding Layer
First thing’s first: make that chocolate pudding! Whisk your pudding mix right into the 500ml of milk according to the box instructions—usually just whisking vigorously for about two minutes. As soon as it starts getting thick, pop that bowl into the fridge for a solid 10 minutes. It needs that chill time before the next step.
Once chilled, take your sweetened whipped cream and gently fold it into the pudding. I mean gently! We are adding air here, so use a spatula and sweep carefully until it’s just mostly combined. We still want the texture lighter than straight pudding.
Layering Your Worms & Dirt Cups
Now, grab those clear serving cups—that’s key to seeing the cool layers we’re making. Start by spooning a thin layer of your crushed Oreo cookies into the very bottom of each cup. That’s your first layer of ‘dirt.’
Next, scoop a generous layer of that lightened pudding mixture right over the cookies. Then, we just repeat the pattern! More dirt, more pudding. Keep going until you hit the top edge of the cup.
The Final Touch: Adding the Worms
This is the moment of truth! Before you serve them, you have to add the worms. Don’t just lay them in flat. Take a few gummy worms and stick them right into the top layer of pudding. You want them hanging out, looking like they are trying to climb their way out of the dirt.
Serve immediately after adding the worms so the cookies stay just a little crunchy. Enjoy the giggles!
Tips for Perfect Worms & Dirt Cups Success
Even though this is one of the simplest desserts on the planet, a couple of little tweaks can take your dessert from good party food to amazing, hilarious party food. My goal is always maximum crunch in the dirt!), especially when I’m making these for a crowd.
Trust me on these little secrets I picked up while testing snack ideas for Betty’s test kitchen. These tips help keep the dessert looking just as good as it tastes!
Keeping the Dirt Crunchy
The biggest enemy of “dirt” pudding cups is sogginess. Since we’re layering a cream-based filling with dry cookies, time is of the essence. The best tip I can give you? Don’t assemble these more than 30 minutes before you plan to serve them. If you are preparing for a big event, keep the pudding mixture chilled in the fridge and keep the Oreo crumbs in a separate airtight container.
When you want to serve them, layer everything up fast! The crunch is what makes the Oreo crumb feel like actual dirt, so every minute the cookies sit in the pudding reduces that satisfying texture. This is why the recipe notes mention assembling close to serving time.
Presentation is Everything for These Kids Party Snacks
Because these are such novelty desserts, you’ve got to nail the presentation. Remember what I said about the worms? Make sure they are sticking way out of the top layer!
Also, use clear cups! If you use opaque plastic cups, nobody can see the chocolate layers, and it just looks like brown mush. The visual appeal of the alternating stripes of dark brown dirt and lighter, creamy pudding is half the fun. A little swirl of extra whipped cream right before you stick the worms in makes the topping look extra luscious, too.
If you’re looking for some more fantastic dessert recipes that are always a hit, make sure you browse my archive!
Making Worms & Dirt Cups Ahead of Time and Storage
I know the struggle! When you’re planning a big party, you want to get as much done the day before as possible. With these **Worms & Dirt Cups**, you absolutely can prep ahead, but you have to be strategic about the soil!
If you put these together the night before, I guarantee those sweet little cookie crumbs will turn into mushy oatmeal instead of satisfying dirt. That layer of crunch is essential! So, we break this recipe down into two parts if you need to start early.
For the best texture, always store the main elements separately. You can totally whip up the pudding mixture and crush all your Oreos ahead of time. I keep the pudding sealed tight in the bowl in the fridge, and the crushed Oreos go into an airtight container on the counter. It keeps the moisture away from the crumbs!
If you’ve got some extra time and want to try making your own fruit leathers to use as fun colored additions—though they aren’t traditional for this recipe—you can check out my homemade fruit roll-ups recipe for a fun afternoon activity!
When it comes to assembly, I never put the final garnish on until about 15 minutes before serving. That means the pudding goes into the cups, but the gummy worms stay tucked away until the last minute. This ensures that the pudding is set, but the cookies don’t have hours and hours to start dissolving. It’s all about timing to keep that layered look perfect!
Fun Variations for Your Worms & Dirt Cups
While the classic chocolate and vanilla pudding base is perfect, these cups are just begging for some creative flair, especially if you’re making them for a big kids’ party! Don’t feel tied down to plain old chocolate; this is where you can really make them unique and fun.
If you have extra time and want to lean into the spooky factor, try swapping out the chocolate pudding for vanilla and adding green food coloring. That makes the ‘dirt’ look suspiciously mossy! Or, you can use cheesecake pudding mix to give it a richer flavor profile.
For other awesome, spooky snack ideas, you absolutely have to check out my Monster Marshmallow Pops—they are so adorable! And if you’re doing a layered dessert theme, my Halloween Ghost Brownies are an easy baking idea that pairs perfectly with these cups. Sometimes, swapping the gummy worms for crushed peanut butter cups instead of Oreos makes a fantastic ‘peanut butter dirt’ version, too!
Equipment Needed for These Simple Desserts
Since these are some of the easiest treats around, you don’t need a huge arsenal of specialty gear. Most of this stuff works for making simple desserts any day of the week. We kept this list short so you could get straight to assembling!
Mixing Bowl
You need a decent-sized mixing bowl to prepare the pudding base properly. It’s important that you have enough room to whisk the milk and pudding mix until it starts to thicken up without splashing that white milk all over your counter—oops!
Clear Serving Cups
Don’t skip the clear cups! This is truly non-negotiable for **Worms & Dirt Cups**. The whole fun of this dessert is seeing the distinct layers of dark “dirt” and creamy pudding, especially when those gummy worms appear. I usually use small glass tumblers or clear plastic party cups, holding about 6-8 ounces each. They look fantastic when lined up!
Frequently Asked Questions About Worms & Dirt Cups
I get so many questions when people first try this recipe for the first time. Believe me, nobody wants their ‘dirt’ to turn out wrong! We keep things simple here because these are meant to be easy dessert ideas, but sometimes little questions come up. Here are the things I hear most often when readers try making these spooky little cups. If you’re looking for more tried and true ideas, you have to check out my archive of easy, healthy snack ideas!
Can I make the pudding from scratch instead of using a box mix?
You absolutely can! If you want to step away from the box mix, go for it. The box mix is fantastic for pure speed, but making it from scratch just adds a richer chocolate flavor. When you make it from scratch, you’ll need to use a recipe that sets up firmly, though. If you use a softer, custard-style homemade pudding, it won’t hold up nearly as well when you fold in the whipped cream, and it might end up too runny.
What is the best way to crush Oreos for the dirt layer?
This is my favorite question! For the most authentic-looking dirt, you want a mix of textures. Don’t over-blend it into powder! My go-to method is shoving the whole cookies (stuffing included!) into a heavy-duty resealable bag. Take a rolling pin—or even the bottom of a sturdy mug—and just bash them a few times. You want fine crumbs, but also some chunkier bits so it looks like freshly dug soil! If you’re trying to avoid too much kitchen noise, a food processor works, but pulse it gently! You might even get some extra crumbs you can use for composting, which you can learn more about from the EPA guide on composting at home.
Are these Worms & Dirt Cups suitable for large crowds?
Yes, they are perfect for large crowds! Out of all the easy desserts for a crowd, these are the easiest because they are already pre-portioned. You just multiply the recipe by however many cups you need! Just remember my advice about waiting until the last minute to assemble the worms if you make them a day ahead. When scaling up, I find it’s easier to mix the pudding in huge batches and then just layer them up as fast as you can before the party starts. It always looks so fun lined up on the table!
Estimated Nutrition for Worms & Dirt Cups
Now, I’m going to be totally honest with you guys—these **Worms & Dirt Cups** are not what I’d call a health food. They are pure party delight, full of chocolate, sugar, and delicious, fatty creaminess! When you’re making fun homemade desserts like this, you’re prioritizing smiles over spreadsheets, right?
The numbers below are just estimates based on using standard, name-brand pudding mix, regular milk, and average Oreos. If you swap milk for skim or use sugar-free pudding, those numbers will change, but that’s getting into serious kitchen science that I usually save for those healthy energy bites I sometimes sneak into the kids’ lunches!
Please treat this small chart as a general guide, especially since the exact nutrition depends a lot on the brand of gummy worms you use. For reference on how worms work in science (totally different world!), you can check out the Journal of Helminthology—but trust me, the dirt cups are way more fun to eat!
- **Calories:** Around 350 per cup
- **Carbohydrates:** Roughly 50g
- **Fat:** About 15g
- **Protein:** Only about 5g
- **Sugar:** Yep, around 35g (The worms contribute a good bit!)
Share Your Fun with These Worms & Dirt Cups
That’s it! You are officially ready to party with the most fun, easiest dessert in your rotation. I truly hope your **Worms & Dirt Cups** get as many laughs as mine do! Seriously, baking—or in this case, *no-baking*—is always better when it involves a little bit of silliness.
I always love seeing how you all decorate your treats! Did you make the worms look extra creepy? Did you serve them up for a kid’s birthday or a super spooky Halloween bash? Don’t be shy!
Please take a moment to leave a rating below so other bakers know how much you loved these simple desserts. If you have any last-minute questions, or if you want to share a photo of your hilarious creations, head over to my contact page and send me a note. Happy treating!
Worms & Dirt Cups
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Clear serving cups
Ingredients
For the Dirt and Pudding
- 1 box Chocolate pudding mix
- 500 ml Milk
- 250 g Crushed Oreo cookies Use the whole cookie, filling included
For Assembly
- 250 ml Whipped cream Sweetened
- 1 package Gummy worms For topping
Instructions
- Prepare the chocolate pudding according to the package directions using the milk. Chill the mixture for 10 minutes.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the chilled pudding mixture until just combined.
- Begin layering the ingredients in your clear cups. Place a layer of crushed Oreo cookies at the bottom of each cup.
- Spoon a layer of the pudding mixture over the cookie layer. Repeat the cookie and pudding layers until the cups are full.
- Top each cup with several gummy worms sticking out before you serve them.